MONTGOMERY -- The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has denied requests of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy for the full 12-judge court to review arguments to overturn their convictions in a government corruption case.

A three-judge panel from the 11th Circuit in March upheld five of the seven bribery and corruption charges against Siegelman and all six charges against Scrushy.

Attorneys for Siegelman and Scrushy had asked the full court to review the appeal. The court's refusal was posted on its Web site Friday.

Siegelman and Scrushy were convicted in 2006 by a federal jury in Montgomery.

The appellate court denied both men's request for a rehearing by all the judges of the 11th Circuit.

A copy of the order was not immediately available.

"Obviously we're disappointed, but it's just another step in a long process to prove Gov. Siegelman's innocence," said Vince Kilborn, Siegelman's attorney.

Kilborn said he will file a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court asking them to review the case. The case is of national importance, he said, because it involves the level of proof required to show campaign contributions were bribes.

"The Supreme Court, in my opinion, will take a long look at that," Kilborn said. The outcome of the case could affect every politician in every level of government, he added.

The 11th Circuit's action raises the possibility that Siegelman could soon be sent back to prison following a new sentencing hearing in Montgomery. Kilborn said he will ask the 11th Circuit not to release the case for sentencing pending his request to the Supreme Court.